Fraud Blocker Student Care Fee Assistance Scheme: Definitive Guide [2024]

Student Care Fee Assistance Scheme: Definitive Guide

Here's Why 30,000+ Readers Trust Us Monthly

At Dollar Bureau, we’re committed to providing you with reliable, unbiased financial guidance. Our content is crafted by everyday Singaporeans who are trained in finance and insurance, ensuring relatable and practical guidance. We uphold strict editorial independence, regularly update our reviews, and value your feedback to keep our information accurate and relevant.

Discover more about our editorial guidelines here.

Student Care Fee Assistance Scheme Definitive Guide

Imagine knowing your child is safe and cared for while you’re at work, without the heavy burden of student care fees weighing on your mind.

As someone who’s helped countless families navigate the Student Care Fee Assistance (SCFA) scheme, I understand how confusing it can be to figure out if you qualify or how to apply.

But don’t worry, you’re in the right place.

In this post, you’ll learn:

  • What the SCFA is and how it works
  • Who qualifies for the scheme
  • How to apply and what documents you need
  • Options for children with special needs

 

Curious to see if you qualify or how the SCFA can lighten your load?

Let’s dive in and find out!

What is the Student Care Fee Assistance (SCFA)?

The Student Care Fee Assistance (SCFA), administered by the Ministry of Social and Family Development (MSF), is a vital scheme designed to support families in Singapore who need help with student care fees.

If you’re a parent struggling with the cost of after-school care for your child, the SCFA can significantly reduce your financial burden by subsidising fees at Student Care Centres (SCCs).

This programme is particularly beneficial for low-income families, ensuring that their children receive quality care and supervision in a safe environment.

For working parents, it offers peace of mind knowing that their children are well looked after during the hours they can’t be home.

The SCFA is an important initiative aimed at bridging the gap for families who might otherwise struggle to afford such care, allowing parents to focus on work or other commitments without worrying about the safety and well-being of their children.

Who can apply?

  • Your child must be a Singaporean Citizen or Permanent Resident, with at least one immediate family member in the household being a Singaporean Citizen.
  • The child must be between 7 to 14 years old.
  • Your child must be enrolled in a Student Care Centre (SCC) registered with the Ministry of Social and Family Development (MSF).
  • Both you and your spouse must work at least 56 hours per month.
  • Your monthly household income must be $4,500 or less, or the per capita income (income per family member) must be $1,125 or less.

 

How much do you get from the Student Care Fee Assistance scheme?

For households with 4 or fewer family members For households with 5 or more family members Subsidy for SCCs with fees < $295 Subsidy for SCCs with fees ≥ $295
Gross Household Income ($) Gross Per Capita Income ($) Subsidy (%) Maximum subsidy ($)
≤ 1,500 ≤ 375 98 290
1,501 – 2,000 376 – 500 95 280
2,001 – 2,200 501 – 550 90 266
2,201 – 2,400 551 – 600 85 251
2,401 – 2,600 601 – 650 80 236
2,601 – 2,800 651 – 700 70 207
2,801 – 3,000 701 – 750 60 177
3,001 – 3,200 751 – 800 50 148
3,201 – 3,400 801 – 850 40 118
3,401 – 3,500 851 – 875 40 118
3,501 – 4,000 876 – 1,000 30 89
4,001 – 4,500 1,001 – 1,125 20 59

How to apply for the Student Care Fee Assistance scheme?

  • Apply online via the SupportGoWhere platform.
  • Submit income documents if you are employed (such as payslips or CPF contribution statements).
  • Provide custody or guardianship-related documents if applicable.
  • Include any other documents that may support your application, such as medical reports or proof of other financial assistance received.

 

But what if my child has special needs?

If your child has special needs, you’ll want to look into Special Student Care Centres that cater specifically to children with disabilities.

These centres offer both before and after school care for students aged 7 to 18 who attend special education (SPED) schools.

Beyond just supervision, these centres provide additional support tailored to your child’s unique needs, including educational support, social skills training, and life skills that help with independent living.

This way, your child can continue to develop essential skills in a safe, nurturing environment while you manage your daily responsibilities.

Who can apply?

  • Your child must be a Singaporean Citizen or Permanent Resident, with at least one immediate family member in the household being a Singaporean Citizen.
  • The child must be between 7 and 18 years old.
  • Your child must be attending a Special Education (SPED) school.
  • The child must be certified by a medical doctor to have a disability.
  • Your gross monthly household income must be $9,200 or less, with a per capita income (income per family member) of $2,300 or less.
  • Both parents must be working, though this requirement may be waived under certain conditions.

 

Subsidies and fee caps for students with disabilities in appointed SSCC by household income tier

Gross Monthly Household Income (HHI) for households with 4 or less immediate family members Gross Per Capita Income (PCI) for families with 5 or more immediate family members Fee Cap
≤ $1,500 < $375 $11
$1,501 – $2,000 $376 – $500 $18
$2,001 – $2,200 $501 – $550 $35
$2,201 – $2,400 $551 – $600 $35
$2,401 – $2,600 $601 – $650 $35
$2,601 – $2,800 $651 – $700 $35
$2,801 – $3,000 $701 – $750 $78
$3,001 – $3,200 $751 – $80 $78
$3,201 -$3,400 $801 – $850 $78
$3,401 – $3,500 $851 – $875 $78
$3,501 – $4,000 $876 – $1,000 $142
$4,001 – $4,200 $1,001 – $1,050 $142
$4,201 – $4,500 $1,051 – $1,125 $250
$4,501 – $5,600 $1,123 – $1,400 $315
$5,601 – $6,500 $1,401 – $1,625 $500
$6,501 – $7,300 $1,625 – $1,825 $600
$7,301 – $8,200 $1,826 – $2,050 $730
$8,201 – $9,200 $2,051 – $2,300 $800
>$9,201 >$2,300 $832

Student Care Centre fees in Singapore

Centre Name Monthly Student Care Fees
Agora Student Care $589
Big Heart Student Care $290 before subsidies
EduFirst Learning Centre $350 before subsidie
Graceland Student Care Centre $380 before subsidies
Little Professors Learning Centre $230 before subsidies
MindSpace $1,360
Morning Star Community Services $270 before subsidies
NASCANS $215 before subsidies
PlayFACTO $600
Raffles Student Care Centre $215 before subsidies
Singapore Edusmart Learning Hub $215 before subsidies
YMCA Student Care Centre $260 before subsidies

FAQs

My spouse is incarcerated. Can I exclude my spouse when applying for Student Care Fee Assistance (SCFA)?

If your spouse is incarcerated, you can exclude them when applying for the Student Care Fee Assistance (SCFA) scheme.

The application allows for flexibility in such cases, and you won’t need to include your spouse’s income as part of the household income calculation.

However, you may need to provide supporting documents to confirm their status, so it’s a good idea to consult with the relevant authorities or your Student Care Centre for further clarification on the necessary steps.

What if I can’t afford the student care centre fee even with Student Care Fee Assistance (SCFA)?

If you still can’t afford the student care centre fee even with Student Care Fee Assistance (SCFA), there are additional support options you may explore.

You can reach out to your Student Care Centre or the Ministry of Social and Family Development (MSF) for further advice, as they may offer other forms of financial assistance – perhaps ComCare or other childcare subsidies.

In some cases, centres may provide flexible payment plans or additional subsidies to ensure your child can still receive the care they need without putting too much financial strain on your family.

How can I become a legal guardian for my niece or nephew for Student Care Fee Assistance (SCFA)?

To become a legal guardian for your niece or nephew for Student Care Fee Assistance (SCFA), you will need to go through a formal legal process.

This involves applying for guardianship through the Family Justice Courts in Singapore.

You will need to provide documentation proving your relationship to the child and demonstrate that you can act in their best interests.

Once legal guardianship is granted, you can apply for SCFA on their behalf, including submitting the necessary documents that show your guardianship status.

It’s best to consult with legal professionals for guidance.

Conclusion

In summary, the Student Care Fee Assistance (SCFA) scheme is designed to help families in Singapore manage the cost of student care, ensuring that children are well cared for while parents focus on work.

Whether your child is in a mainstream Student Care Centre or has special needs and attends a Special Education (SPED) school, there are options available to ease your financial burden.

We’ve covered who’s eligible, how to apply, and what additional support is available for children with disabilities.

If you’re still unsure about the process or need help figuring out your eligibility, don’t worry.

Our trusted financial advisor partners are here to assist — completely free of charge.

Feel free to reach out and get the guidance you need!

References

Picture of Firdaus Syazwani
Firdaus Syazwani
Twenty years ago, Firdaus's mother bought an endowment plan from an insurance agent to gift him $20,000. However, after 20 years of paying premiums, Firdaus discovered that the policy was actually a whole life plan with a sum assured of $20,000, and they didn't receive any money back. This experience inspired Firdaus to create dollarbureau.com, so that others won't face the same problem of being misled or not understanding what they are purchasing – which he sees as a is a huge problem in the industry.

Disclaimer: Each article written obtained its information from reliable sources and should be purely used for informational purposes only. The information provided by Dollar Bureau and its affiliated parties is not meant to be construed as financial advice. Dollar Bureau shall not be held liable for any inaccuracies, mistakes, omissions, and losses incurred should you act upon any information listed on this website. We recommend readers to seek financial planning advice from qualified financial advisors. 

Most Popular Posts

Recent Posts

FREE beginner Investment course!

Start Investing without fear of losing your money

Get the free investment course for beginners that has helped hundreds of Singaporeans start their journey towards financial freedom.